Be Vegetarian
Material science has proven that the choices we make with food directly affects our health. There is a popular saying — we are what we eat — and it is very true. Every cell in this amazing body that God has given us is created and sustained by the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. What we eat nourishes us in so many ways, affecting not only our appearance but our state of mind, energy levels and general well-being. Some people may wonder what spiritual science says about what food we should eat. Others may question why some spiritual paths advocate a purely vegetarian diet?
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explained that there are essentially two reasons why a vegetarian diet should be adopted. The first and most important relates to the mind; the doer of our every action, including our devotion. This mind comprises the same material energy that is found in food. In fact, according to the scriptures, anything material has three inherent qualities — sattva (goodness), rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance). In the context of food, these correlate to pure natural foods, a mixture of pure and unnatural food, and totally impure or unnatural food. The human mind also comprises sattva, rajas and tamas.
A part of spiritual practice is to develop the sattvic quality of the mind. By doing so, we develop our inner goodness or inner spiritual potential which is the goal of devotional practice. The food we eat affects this because it comprises these same qualities. When we consume sattvic food it helps to develop the sattvic qualities in our mind, which in turn makes us more alert, focused, peaceful and spiritual. Rajasic food stimulates the rajasic qualities in the mind, manifesting as ambition, greed, and an eagerness to enjoy things of this world. Tamasic food promotes dullness of mind, lethargy, and apathy. So which foods fit into what category?
Vegetarian food falls into the purely sattvic category. When you eat these foods prepared in a healthy way, it improves the sattvic quality of your mind, aiding your spiritual practice. Rajasic foods are vegetarian, but they are deep-fried or overly spiced. Too much salt, too much oil and chillies turn sattvic food into rajasic food resulting in a restless mind that is more difficult to focus on meditation. Tamasic food is any kind of meat, even eggs.
It is important to note that the effect on the mind is subtle. Eating meat on its own will not make a person bad. However, if your goal is to increase the good qualities in your mind, then you can speed up your progress by eating sattvic food and avoiding tamasic food altogether. Rajasic foods like samosa can be had occasionally but should not be your staple diet.
Spirituality in Daily Living, Volume 3, p.7–9
Vedic knowledge revealed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and presented by Dr Vishakha Tripathi, president of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat.
https://www.jkpliterature.org.in/
https://www.jkpliterature.org.in/spirituality-in-daily-living-3
